Vietnam Vet Celebrates Memorial Day Weekend Lottery Win

Vietnam Veteran Joseph Dixon Jr. of Baltimore certainly experienced an unforgettable Memorial Day Weekend this year. The happy Maryland Lottery player won the $30,000 top prize on a Hearts are Wild Tripler scratch-off!

Dixon, who works as a one-on-one tutor, wasted no time claiming his prize on Tuesday from Lottery headquarters in Baltimore after the long holiday weekend. He told Lottery officials that the win comes at a poignant time.

“Although I’m extremely excited and happy about winning, I still have to reflect on the friends and loved ones who are not here to share it with me,” he said, “especially the ones I saw lost in Vietnam and some of my family members.”

The 59-year-old was at home, taking care of the family dog, while his wife visited their new twin grandchildren. “I got bored and decided to go get a few scratch-off tickets,” he said. The new grandpa headed to Leeds Liquors at 910 Leeds Ave. in Baltimore, where he bought the $3 ticket. “I started scratching, thinking this was a hard ticket to win from and that was when I won!”

No stranger to Maryland Lottery wins, Dixon claimed a $10,000 scratch-off prize in 2012. The lucky player plans to spend some of his prize on roof repairs and an overdue vacation with his wife.

Players must be at least 18 years old to play all Maryland Lottery games. The Maryland Lottery encourages responsible play.

The only official winning numbers are the numbers actually drawn. Information should always be verified before it is used in any way. Click here for more information, and click here to view actual Maryland Lottery drawings.

Your use of this website or Site constitutes your agreement to abide by these provisions.